Before his approach on each attempt to qualify for the state track and field meet, Baylor high jumper Wiley Pippenger would glance to the left of the padded landing area and nod. It was his way of reminding himself of an unseen presence pushing him.
Former Baylor assistant track coach John Bradford, who had worked with Pippenger and all Baylor jumpers over the past 30 years, died last Sunday. Bradford, who learned to coach high jumpers and pole vaulters by reading an instructional book, would have his athletes practice the high jump motion by running toward the school's football stands, turning to jump and land in a seated position on the concrete wall.
"He was just a wonderful man who never had anything negative to say to anyone," said Baylor coach Bill McMahan. "It really tore our kids up when I had to tell them. It did me, too. He had a great way of relating with kids."
The lessons Bradford had taught remained firmly in Pippenger's mind, and during the Division II East region meet field events Tuesday at GPS, just one day after being told of his coach's death, the Red Raiders sophomore set a personal best by clearing 6 feet, 2 inches.
Pippenger's nod was to the area where Bradford typically would watch the event, always coaxing and instructing. Pippenger, who stands 6-foot-5, reached a mark that was good enough for second behind McCallie's Hakim McMorris and should be good enough to qualify Pippenger for next week's Spring Fling.
"Coach Bradford is one of the best men I've ever known," Pippenger said before choking back tears. "I remember at middle school meets if he saw someone from another school not jumping with good form he would go over and talk to the kid and give them instructions. Not many people would do that.
"He's the reason I pushed myself in this event. He said that the high jump was one of the most graceful sports out there when it's done right. He told me that I would fly one day. Today I flew for him."
Another sophomore, McCallie's Dre Taylor, won both the shot put (46-11) and the discus (131-3.5) to advance to next week's state meet. Besides the high jump, McCallie's McMorris also won the triple jump with a leap of 44-4 Baylor's Henry White won the pole vault at 12-6.
"Dre is a big kid, probably 5-11, 240 pounds, but that's small compared with the guys he competes against in those events," said McCallie coach Mike Wood. "But he overcomes that with really good technique and quickness.
"Hakim could do some special things next week in several events."
Baylor's JuToreyia Willis set a personal best in winning the triple jump with a distance of 37 feet. She also won the high jump (5-1), while teammate Catherine Parker won both the discus (92-9) and shot put (37-3.75). Lady Red Raiders pole vaulter Rachel Smith won that event by clearing 11-2, and St. Andrew's-Sewanee's Sarah Beth Hobby won the long jump (15-6).
Except for the 3200-meter run, which also was part of Tuesday's schedule, the region meet's running events will be held Thursday, also at GPS.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.